With just under two weeks until the 2024 NHL Entry Draft (June 28), the Pittsburgh Penguins and general manager Kyle Dubas find themselves in an interesting position. Due to the terms of the Erik Karlsson trade with the San Jose Sharks, they don't own a first-round pick. They do, however, have two second-round picks. Dubas has six draft picks in total. While it's possible he might consider shuffling the deck a bit, I used Draft Prospect Hockey's mock draft tool to put together a full seven-round mock draft for the organization. Drafts are always unpredictable, so it's possible some of these picks won't even come to fruition, but let's take a look at how the mock draft played out.
Round 2
Choose number 44
Available Players: Teddy Styga (LW), Adam Kleber (RHD), Jet Ruchanko (C), John Mustard (LW)
Your selection: Jett Ruchanko, Guelph Storm (Ontario Hockey League)
There were plenty of solid options available with the 44th pick, but adding a player like Jet Ruchanko, who has garnered plenty of attention throughout the season, would be an ideal combination for the Penguins. One person who has fully hopped on the “Jet Train” is Peter Baracchini of THW.
Ruchanko has been a mainstay on Guelph's power play this season while also providing some much-welcomed two-way play to the forwards in the future. Whether it was on the offensive side of the puck or constantly disrupting defenses on the backcheck or disrupting plays, there was never a time when he wasn't noticeable on the ice. Acquiring a player of Ruchanko's caliber — projected by many to be a bit part player for a potential first-round draft pick — would be a big gain for Dubas and the Penguins, who own the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft.
Choose number 46
pick: John Mustard, Waterloo Blackhawks (United States Hockey League)
After selecting Ruchanko, the Penguins may be looking to add to their defense, but with John Mustard still available, I think they will look to add to their forward line. Mustard has been a player who has been climbing the NHL Central Scouting Rankings all season with his all-around play. The USHL Rookie of the Year Award winner has shown high-level goal-scoring ability and hockey IQ in addition to his all-around offensive prowess, making him a strong playmaker with the puck on his stick. Offensively, he is an all-around threat with and without the puck on his stick.
By adding one of the youngest players on their draft-eligible roster (he's about a month away from becoming eligible for the 2025 draft), the Penguins will be able to further develop the 17-year-old's game in Providence beginning in 2025. They could easily transform him into a middle-six forward and add some serious offensive muscle to their lineup.
Round 4
Select 111
Available Players: Alexandre Brees (LW), Carson Wetsch (RW), John Whipple (LHD), Eriks Matejko (LW), Mitja Jokinen (LHD)
pick: John Whipple, USNTDP (USHL)
The Penguins finally selected a defenseman when they acquired John Whipple from the U.S. Development Program in the fourth round. The team needs a defenseman to eventually take over the reins from players like Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson as offensive defensemen, but Whipple plays a stronger defense (which is, of course, not a bad thing).
Related: THW's 2024 NHL Draft Guide
He's not the flashiest player, but he's strong and reliable at the back of the ice. Where he really shines is in transition and on the rush as a defender, where he can use his length and reach to slow down opponents. But this is just the beginning for Whipple's defense, and he's shown a strong willingness to throw his weight around and take some big hits. While not the most exciting or aggressive defenseman, adding a player who has the potential to be a top-two pairing defenseman will help the Penguins in the long run. His offensive potential could also improve if he's headed to Minnesota for college next season.
Round 6
Choose number 175
Available Players: Axel Nyman (G), Nolan Lord (C), Mack Swanson (F), Gavin Hodnett (F), Xavier Weill (LHD)
pick: Xavier Weill, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
The polar opposite of Whipple, Xavier Weill is an aggressive defenseman who balances Whipple's style of play. In his rookie season with the Lumberjacks, he led all rookie defensemen in scoring with 32 points and was named to the All-Rookie First Team that season. An offensive threat, Weill's attacks tend to start in the defensive zone, leading the rush from his own side of the ice, then get more involved in the offensive zone.
When he's away from the puck, Weill is “sneaky” enough to get into position to make plays with ease, and if he can further improve his defensive abilities as he continues his junior career and eventually college hockey at Harvard, it could help him become a bottom-pairing defenseman for the Penguins in the future.
Round 7
Choose number 207
Available Players: Jesse Heslop (F), Jack Bodine (RHD), Josh Zakreski (F)
pick: Jack Bodine, Olebo HK J20 (J20 National)
The Penguins' other defensive defenceman, Jack Bodine, is similar to Whipple in that he's not afraid to put his body on the line in the hitting department. He's also a strong shooter from the point, but will ultimately be viewed as more of a defensive player than an offensive player. He'll likely be a long-term prospect who plays more time in Sweden before heading to North America (if that happens).
Choose number 225
Available players: Matthias Merovsky (C), Ben Robertson (LHD), Dax Williams (LHD), Elliot Groenwald (LHD)
Selected Player: Ruslan Gazizov, London Knights (OHL)
With the Penguins' final pick, I chose the slightly unexpected Ruslan Gazizov. After going undrafted the past two drafts, the third-year Russian had a breakout season with the defending OHL champion London Knights. Since being acquired by London in the 2021 Import Draft, he has improved offensively every year. It's entirely possible that he's benefiting from a super-strong roster this season, but nearly doubling his points total this season (81 points) and also being a force on the power play might be enough of a reason for a team to finally acquire him. The Penguins could be that team, and a “Violin” celebration could be in the pipeline for the near future.
The Penguins have a chance at a solid draft.
Mock drafts are exactly what they sound like: hypothetical. Either way, Dubas and the Penguins have a chance to have a solid draft this year and add some much-needed reinforcements to their pipeline in Las Vegas in 13 days.
